Truss-pad.



I nil* B. R. RATER-IGK. 'muss BAD. APPLICATION FILED APE. 9, 1907.

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ELLSWORTH R. BATHRIGK, OF AKRON, OHIO.

TRUSS-PAD.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1907.

Patented March 10, 1908.

Serial No. 367,264.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLSWORTH R. BATH- RICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Truss-Pads, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to truss pads for the treatment and temporary reduction of hernia.

The objects of this invention are to produce a pad having a body portion of soft vulcanized rubber or similar material, so constructed that the portion of the body covered by the pad will be effectually ventilated,

: thereby reducing the discomfort attendant on the wearing of the same.

The invention also contemplates novel means for securing the pad to a supporting medium so arranged as not to impair the means employed to secure a desired ventilation.

The invention also contemplates that the body portion of the pad be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes in order that it may conform to and adapt itself to the peculiar case to which it is to be applied.

' A practical embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals indicate like parts in the diHerent figures.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved pad; Fig. 2 a section of the same on line X of Fig. l Fig. 3 is a plan view of a pad with a backing plate attached thereto Fig. 4 is a plan view of a plate adapted to be embedded in the rubber to serve as a means forsecuring the backing plate in position; and, Fig. 5 a longitudinal section of my improved pad showing the instrumentalities used for attaching it to a sustaining medium.

In the drawings, vthe reference numeral 1 indicates a truss pad constructed of eX- tremely soft vulcanized rubber provided centrally with a pocket 2 with which communicates a transverse slit 12, for a purpose to be later described. This pad is formed with a plurality of ventilating openings 3 extending entirely through fthe pad and of suflicient size to permit air to pass therethrough to the part covered by the pad, as well as permit the perspiration and products of evaporation on the surface of the skin to escape outwardly therefrom. This pad may be of any desired thickness and of any size or configuration which will best adapt it to the uses and purposes for which it is constructed, and

no limitations thereon are intended by the fact that an approximatelyoval form is used in the drawings to illustrate the construction of this device.

Arranged to be positioned in the pocket 2 by insertion through the slit 12 either before or after the vulcanization thereof is a skeleton frame 4. provided with enlarged ends 5 preferably perforated for better enga ement with the body of material of which t e pad is composed. This frame 4 is designed to have sufficient area to effectually engage the rubber of the pad and assist in retaining the backing plate, to be later described, and at the same time interfere with as few of the openings 3 as is possible to construct a device of this character. On the rear `face of the pad is placed a backing or stiffening plate 6 iaving a downwardly-inclined edge 7 so that the main body portion of the plate, when placed upon the back or rear face of the pad will be raised therefrom so as not to interfere with the circulation of air through the openings 3. This backing will also be provided with a plurality of openings 8 to aid in the accomplishment of free circulation of air through the pad. This plate 6 is also provided with a pair of studs 9. by which it is designed to attach the entire device to a belt or truss. In order to retain the plate 6 effectually in position a screw l0 is employed which passes through the plate 6 and enters a re-inforced internally-threaded Opening 1l in the frame 4, so that by screwing.

down the screw 10 by means of a suitable tool, the rubber existing between the frame 4 and the plate 6 is compressed sufficiently to prevent any accidental dislodgment of either of these two elements.

It will be seen from the foregoing that this device affords an unusually simple and effectual device for the purpose described, the soft vulcanized rubber constituting a clean and sufliciently rigid material for the purpose described and at the same time the openings therethrough permit the perspiration and evaporation from the body to escape, as well as permit air from outside to reach the part covered by the pad, preventing heating of the part and any skin trouble resulting therefrom. It will be found that a pad constructed in accordance with the foregoing description, will, under all ordinary conditions, retain itself in proper position over the part affected, but if desired, in order to make the pad maintain itself more securely in position, the surface of the pad Which is designed to come in contact With the body may be roughened by sand paper or some appropriate substance, thereby producing a roughened surface somewhat equivalent to sponge rubber, this feature having been found, in a number of instances to be remarkably successful in preventing any danger of the pad and truss slipping from position, due to perspiration of the wearer and the loily nature ol the skin of certain people and the consequent iilling ot' the pores of the rubber adjacent the part on Which it is used.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A truss pad comprising a resilient body portion provided With an interiorly-arranged pocket and further provided With a slit communicating With said pocket and a plurality of transversely-extending openings, a skeleton frame positioned in said pocket and providedWith a centrally-disposed screw-threaded opening, a backing provided With an inclined marginal portion engaging the rear face of the body portion, said backing having a centrally-disposed opening, and a headed screw-threaded element extending` through said backing and engaging said frame for adjustably connecting the latter to the former.

2. A truss pad comprising a resilient body portion provided with an interiorly-arranged pocket and further provided with a slit communicating With said pocket and a plurality of'transversely-extending openings, a skeleton frame positioned in said pocket provided With a centrally-disposed screw-threaded opening, a backing provided with an inclined marginal portion engaging thel rear face of the body portion, said backing having a centrally-disposed opening, a headed screwthreaded elementY extending through said backing and engaging said tramel'or adjustably connecting the latter to the former, and a plurality of studs secured to the hacking and constituting means for connecting the pad to a sustaining element.

3. A truss pad comprising a resilient body portionprovided with a plurality ottiansversely-extending openings, a frame enveloped by said body portion, a backing having an inclined marginal portion engaging the rear face of said body portion, means'extending through the backing and engaging the frame for adjustably connecting the latter to the former, and means carried by the backing for connecting the pad to a sustaining element.

4. A truss pad comprising a resilient body portion provided with a plurality of ventilating openings, a skeleton plate having an inclined marginal portion adapted to engage the rear face of the body portion, a frame enveloped in said body portion and having a centrally-arranged scie\\f'threaded opening, a screw-threaded element extending through the plate and engaging in the screw-threaded opening of the traine for adjustabl)v connecte ing the frame to the plate, and means carried by the plate for connecting the pad to the sustaining element.

5. A truss pad comprising a resilient body portion provided with a plurality of ventilating openings, a skeleton plate having au inclined marginal portion adapted to engage the rear face ol the body portion, a frame enveloped in said body portion and provided with ventilating openings.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in presence ol two subscribing witnesses.

ELLSORTH ll. BATIlRlC/K. litnessesz C. E. HUMPHREY, GLENARA Fox. 

